US-Mexico Border Wall to Undergo New Design Changes Amid Immigration Policy Shifts

Mon Nov 03 2025 12:32:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The US-Mexico border wall will be painted black to deter climbers and enhance durability, as officials report significant decreases in undocumented crossings.

The Biden administration is making significant changes to the US-Mexico border wall, including painting it black to increase temperatures and deter climbers, a move credited to Donald Trump. With recent immigration policies yielding a marked reduction in border crossings, the new construction strategies aim to bolster security and infrastructure.

The entire US-Mexico border wall is set to be coated in black paint in a move designed to deter climbers and increase the structure's thermal intensity, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who attributes the idea to former President Donald Trump. This is part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy, which includes $46 million earmarked for new wall construction as outlined in a recent spending bill.

Noem reported that the construction is progressing rapidly, with roughly half a mile (0.8 km) of wall being erected daily along the nearly 2,000-mile (3,218 km) stretch of the border. The Trump administration has cited falling numbers of border crossings in recent months as evidence that its approach—focusing on domestic detentions and deportations—has proven effective in reducing illegal immigration.

While inspecting a wall segment in New Mexico, Noem explained that the decision to paint the wall black stemmed from the president's awareness of the local climate. "In the hot temperatures down here, when something is painted black, it gets even warmer, and it will make it even harder for people to climb," she stated. Additionally, officials believe that the dark color may help with rust prevention over time.

Plans for "waterborne infrastructure" along the Rio Grande are also in discussion, building on initiatives previously implemented by Texas authorities, who introduced floating barriers and reinforced fencing along the riverbank, manned by a combination of state troopers and the Texas National Guard.

The number of crossings has seen a drastic decline since Trump's return to office, with reports indicating record lows, including approximately 4,600 in July alone, marking a 92% decrease compared to the previous year. The Biden administration, during its time in office, had experienced up to 6,000 daily detentions, illustrating the stark difference in approaches to immigration control.

Noem mentioned that over 1.6 million undocumented individuals have departed the US during the initial 200 days of the Trump administration; however, she did not clarify how many were deported compared to those who left voluntarily. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt further elaborated that 300,000 undocumented immigrants have been apprehended within the US since January.

While the administration emphasizes adherence to detaining those with criminal records, immigration advocates have raised concerns, asserting that those without serious infractions are often ensnared in these enforcement sweep operations. In light of this, administration representatives argue that the combination of reinforced border security and mass deportations remains crucial in deterring illegal entry at the US-Mexico border.